John Green joined as headmaster in September 2013, becoming the college’s ninth headmaster in its 130-year history,

He said: “The main idea is to make a positive difference to the surrounding community and Wednesday afternoons are now blocked out in the timetable for weekly community events.

“Our students are extremely fortunate to study and live in such a beautiful part of the country, it is only right that they put something back”.

Some 220 students from Years 9, 10 and 12 helped out with more than 20 projects, from tidying the beach at Bracklesham Bay to cleaning the war memorial in Graffham, marshalling a Tour de France activity day at Oakwood Prep School and clearing weeds from the pond at Petworth House.

Paul Griffin, head of history, took students for the second year to help the vulnerable at the Whyke estate. Sarah Buckley, Hyde housing officer and lead for the Whyke project, said: “The volunteers worked very hard and achieved so much. Local contractors gave their labour free for the day which allowed us to use equipment like petrol strimmers and the heavy tools that for safety reasons couldn’t be provided to the students and other volunteers.”

At Brent Lodge in Sidlesham, students fed abandoned baby seagulls and cleaned cages, while a cheque for £800 was presented to the Air Ambulance in Marden, Kent. Four students and five members of staff tackled the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the Air Ambulance appeal.

Pupils raised more than £80 for charity from packing bags at Sainsbury’s in Chichester, Petworth residents benefited from a free car wash at the Chestnut Avenue carpark, and residents from Elizabeth House in Bognor were taken to Macari’s cafe for free coffee and cake.

Youngsters also carried out species-watching to help the Graffham Conservation Society, spending the day counting butterflies on the South Downs. Seaford College is looking for new partnerships. Contact community co-ordinator Clive Thorpe at cthorpe@seaford.org